Page 101 of Spike

“Not the one youdid for me. That one is mine, so, no, not all of them.” I squeezed my eyes shutbefore opening just one. “Are you mad?”

He studied me fora few seconds before looking around again, then pulling me close. “I’m notmad.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m happy.I’m not gonna lie, I’m scared shitless, and I’m fuckin’ overwhelmed.”

I slid my armsaround his waist and squeezed. “In a good way?”

“Yeah, baby, in areally good way.”

“Spike!”

We turned to seeRopes and Devlin rushing toward us, followed by the rest of the guys and theirwomen, and two people I recognized but had never met in person.

“Fuck, Doozer?”Spike said with a laugh.

The big man pulledhim in for a hug. “I wasn’t about to miss this.”

“Hey, Trouble,”Spike said, pulling the petite woman in for a hug. “This is Trixie.”

“Oh my god, hi,”she said, hugging me. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“You have?”

“Are you kiddingme? Spike has been pining for you forever.”

I blushed, leaningagainst Spike as he wrapped an arm around my waist. “Okay, let’s not spillallmy secrets.”

“I’m not sure thatwas much of a secret, honey,” I pointed out.

He kissed the topof my head. “Maybe not.”

“Your stuff isreally good, Spike,” Trouble said. “I can’t believe I didn’t know yousculpted.”

“Thanks,sweetheart. It’s something I’ve always done as a stress relief.” He gave me asqueeze. “Hadn’t thought about displaying it.”

“Spike, love,”Gemma walked up behind us, and we turned to find her with Philippe, the gallerycurator. “This is Philippe Holte, he’s the man behind the gallery.”

“Mr. Holte, Idon’t know what to say. Thank you for allthis,” Spike said.

“Please call mePhilippe, and let me assure you, the pleasure is all mine. Your work isbreathtaking. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen.”

It was finallytime for Spike to blush. His ears reddened, followed by his neck and cheeks, asPhilippe piled on the praise.

“Since this was asurprise, I took the liberty of valuing each piece myself. I hope you don’tmind. Don’t worry about the prices listed on each piece. Those are merelyopening bid numbers, and I can make any changes you’d like.”

Spike looked atthe price listed on the sculpture next to him and choked, “Um, Philippe. Ithink you’ve got an extra zero on this one.”

Phillipe let out acontrolled laugh. “True modesty in an artist is a rare thing. Take my advice.Whatever you do, hide those kinds of feelings way down deep inside. They willnot serve you well in the art industry.”

Spike smirked andnodded as he squeezed my hand.

“Your work issuperb as is, but the buyers are going to lose their minds over you. I’mexpecting big numbers from this auction, and it behooves the gallery to make itso.”

“What’s thehouse’s cut?” Spike asked.

“Twenty percent tothe gallery and five to me, with an additional two percent should every piecesell for at least the opening bid amount.”

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